Almost seven years after Sept. 11 — and long after airlines received billions of bailout dollars — the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a final rule April 9 authorizing up to $17 million to reimburse GA businesses at five Washington, D.C.-area airports for financial losses incurred while they were shut down by the federal government. […]
Sporty’s launches foundation
Sporty’s Founder and Chairman Hal Shevers has created The Sporty’s Foundation, a charitable organization to promote aviation education and safety initiatives with an emphasis on youth programs. The foundation’s first bequest was a $5,000 donation to the Aircraft Electronic Association’s Educational Foundation. “Part of the AEA Foundation’s charter is to provide educational opportunities through scholarships […]
Seattle’s Museum of Flight grows with recent property purchase
The Museum of Flight in Seattle now has room to grow with the recent purchase of about six acres of land. “The Museum of Flight was virtually landlocked and in need of room to continue our growth,” said Dr. Bonnie Dunbar, president and CEO. “We currently have plans to build a new Space Gallery on […]
Largest U.S. VLJ exhibit at N.C.’s Wilson Air Center
Wilson Air Center at Charlotte, N.C., was host to the largest Very Light Jet (VLJ) Exhibition in the U.S. in March, drawing more than 650 guests, eight aircraft manufacturers and numerous other related companies to Charlotte Douglas International Airport, said Vince Papke, Wilson Air Center-Charlotte general manager. Aircraft manufacturers exhibited aircraft and mock ups to […]
Texas Sport debuts
Looking for an aircraft with the ramp appeal of a Piper J-3 Cub, but want the satisfaction of building it yourself? A new venture by American Legend Aircraft Co. called Texas Sport Aircraft Co. can help you achieve the best of both worlds with the Texas Sport amateur-built aircraft. The Texas Sport combines features of […]
FAA calls for longer medical certificates
The FAA wants to lengthen the duration of certain medical certificates. In a Notice of Proposed Rule Making published April 10, the FAA proposes that third class medicals for pilots under the age of 40 go from three years to five years, while first class medicals would go from six months to a year. The […]
Ready to pay $16 for every touch and go?
Not worried about the user fee and fuel tax hike proposed in the FAA reauthorization bill? Maybe this will change your mind. An AOPA official recently completed several flights in Europe, where user fees already exist. Here are a few of his sobering findings: It costs nearly $20,000 to obtain a private pilot’s certificate in […]
Bigger than life: The world needs more characters like John Thun
My wife and I were cleaning out some boxes stuffed with old photos when we came across some pictures of the late John Thun. The pictures really set my mind whirling as I thought about this bigger-than-life character from the Tacoma, Wash., area, where we have made our home since 1970. When I mention John, […]
MORE G1000 TRAINING HELP
“What’s new in training … Flying the looking glass” in the March 9 issue was interesting. We’d like to add the King Schools’ “Flying the Garmin G1000” to your “Check these out, too” sidebar. King Schools’ website is and our phone number is 800-854-1001. KEN KAPLAN King Schools, Inc. San Diego